Music Placements in Disney’s ESPN Documentary "Once Upon a Time in Anaheim"

Disney’s new ESPN documentary, “Once Upon a Time in Anaheim”, features two pieces of music by Emer Landers which were taken from her album “Mischief and Mystery”. The documentary covers the true story of The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, the first and only pro sports team ever inspired by a Hollywood movie, and is currently available to stream on ESPN+.

It features interviews with key members from the original Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, including Stu Grimson and Guy Hebert, in addition to 2003 heroes J.S. Giguere, Paul Kariya and Steve Rucchin. Franchise icon Teemu Selanne also appears to discuss his initial years with the club from 1996-2001. ‘The Mighty Ducks’ actors Marguerite Moreau and Shaun Weiss in addition to film’s creator, Steve Brill are also featured in the documentary.

Following the release of “The Mighty Ducks” film, the NHL awarded a franchise to Disney in December, 1992. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim began play in 1993-94 to sellout crowds at Honda Center (formerly the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim). In 2003, the Ducks shocked the hockey world with upsets over the defending champion Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild before falling in seven games to the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup Final. Giguere was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2003 as the most valuable player during the Stanley Cup playoffs, just one of five players in NHL history to win the award on a team that does not win the Stanley Cup. Many of the transactions and successes from the club’s 2003 run led directly to Anaheim ultimately winning California’s first Stanley Cup in 2007, which occurred just two years after the club was purchased by local philanthropists Henry and Susan Samueli.